ATTACK ON MAHOETAHI PA. ROUT OF THE WAIKATOS. (From the Taranaki Herald)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1350, 16 November 1860, Page 3

ATTACK ON MAHOETAHI PA. ROUT OF THE WAIKATOS. (From the Taranaki Herald )

>'Th<? moit brilliant and desperately contested action evefcyet teoordedin the annuls of New Zealftild was

fought on the 6th November at Mahoetahi. Oti one side were arrayed the Waikatos resolved to win the day, and deluded with the notion (since expressed by one of the prisoners) that they h*d only to fire a few rounds to accomplish ; and on the other side our own forces were arrayed, equally resolved to conquer, and allay the presumption of the enemy. The main body of the Waikatos lay in a raupo swamp well concealed from observation, and another body" occupied on entrenchment on the crest of Mohoetahi hill, in which were some entrenched whares. The 65th detachment, which had formed the advanced guard during the march from town, now formed a lino of skirmishers, under Lieuts. Bailie and Toker, at the base of the hill, and extended towards their right. This body was commanded by Capt. Turner. The Eifle "Volunteers continued this extension towards the It ft, , under the direction of Major Herbert ; and the 40th Eegt., commanded by Lieut.-Col. Leslie, were massed in columns, forming the reserve, while the detachment 12th Eegt., under Major Hutchins, which had formed the rear guard during the march, now remained in charge of the baggage and spare ammunition, &c. The detachment Royal Artillery, under Capt. Strover and Lieut. McNaughten, rendered, as usual, impoitant service. The whole force was commanded by Major-General Pratt, 0.8., who, throughout the engagement/ occupied a foremost place, and was much exposed to the hot and rapid fire of his determined enemy. The Waikatos commenced the action by firing the first shots from an old entrenched position in the crest of Mahoetahi hill. This was quickly returned by the skirmishers, and after a short fire the 65th and Voluntceis rushed up the hill and stormed that position. In performing this service they were exposed to heavy flanking fires, but it was not until they had entered the entrenchments that they experienced any loss Within that confined space a heavy fire from the entrenched whares laid low the gallant son of the Eev. H. H. Brown, a volunteer not 16 years of age, and private F. Eooney, Light Company 65th Eegt., while further towards the left Mr. Henry Edgcombe, aged 20, also of the Volunteers, received his mortal wound. Here Captain Turner was struck in the face by a musket ball, and Col. Sillery slightly wounded. A rush was now made on the whares, and the bayonet speedily silenced all further annoyance. This service was accomplished by some 65fch and Eifle Volunteers, Some shells thrown into the raupo swamp caused the Waikatos to quit their lairs, and now commenced the work of extermination, for a detachment of the 40th, under Major Nelson, and a company of the 65th, under Lieut. Talbot, from Waitara, (the latter advancing in beautiful skirmishing order) came up from the noi th side of the hill, and the Light Company of the 65th, led on by Lieut. Urquqart, (then forming a. flank guard) closing on their centre, together with a good show of Rifle Volunteers, the rebels weie almost surrounded. Men dashed into the swamp, and a hand to hand encounter followed, — and the bayonet and the butt end of the lifle, when the bullet had missed, speedily convinced the biave enemy that the avenger was at hand. They commenced their letreat, still fighting with desperate valour, and in one of these encounters Piivate McGivein met his fate, though not before the enemy had felt the effects of his prowess. They gradually got in the Huirangi road followed by a part of the 65th, under Lieuts. Urquhart and Talbot, their letreating steps raarkecfby pools of blood, and a storm of shot and shells bursting over and_among them. In their terror they threw away their arms and pouches, and any articles of clothing that impeded their flight, and the pursuers followed them to near the Waiongana Eiver, when fatigue alone compelled them to desist, for the day had been intensely hot without a breath of air. The melee in the swamp had been a succession of desperate hand to hand encounters, and many instances of courage were exhibited on both sides. Private Gilligan, 65th, shot one Waikato, and brained another with the butt end of his rifle. Many other daring acts weie witnessed, but must remain unrecouled as the individuals could not be identified. But the bayonet played a conspicuous part in the exciting scene. When all but the dead and mortally wounded Waikatos had disappeared, a leconnoitung party, under Major-General, composed of 12th, suppoited by 65th, proceeded to Ngataiparirua and came in sight of a pa having a red flag flying, but it was speedily hauled down and a white flag half-mast high succeeded it. The party then proceeded louud by Puketakaueie, and thence returned to Mahoetahi. In the course of the afternoon, after having buiied in one giave some 28 or 29 Waikatos, the main body leturned to the town (having left a skong force to retain possession of the field of battle) laden with Maori spoils, in the shape of double-ban elled gun 1 ?, ornaments, shawls, &c, &.c, many batteied and bloody, pioving they had not been parted with willingly. On the force passing the town barrier, loud and continued cheers pioved to them that their conduct was duly appreciated by their countrymen. The list of casualties will prove who boie the brunt of the day : 65th Eegt., 2 killed, 10 wounded, 1 officer do ; Volunteers, 2 killed, 4 wounded ; 40th Eegt., 1 wounded.